Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
Published on: June 12, 2020
Sons and daughters beyond your control: episodes in the prehistory of the attention deficit/hyperactivity syndrome
1Unit for History and Philosophy of Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia, p.foley@neura.edu.au.
Insights
The historical concept of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has roots in 19th-century literature. This review explores the pre-ADHD and early hyperkinetic disorder concepts, including less-discussed historical sources.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Psychology
- History of Medicine
Background:
- The concept of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a long and complex history.
- Discussions of hyperactive and inattentive children appear in pedagogical and medical literature dating back to the 19th century.
- Numerous controversies surrounding ADHD have been extensively analyzed across various contexts.
Observation:
- This review outlines the 'prehistory' of the ADHD concept.
- It covers the period leading up to the formal definitions in DSM-III (ADHD) and ICD-9 (hyperkinetic disorder).
- A specific focus is placed on literature not previously included in English-language reviews.
Findings:
- The historical trajectory of ADHD conceptualization reveals evolving understanding of childhood behavioral and attention disorders.
- Early literature provides foundational insights into conditions now recognized as ADHD.
- Unexamined historical texts offer new perspectives on the development of diagnostic criteria.
Implications:
- Understanding the historical context of ADHD is crucial for interpreting current diagnostic frameworks and treatment approaches.
- This historical analysis can inform future research directions in child psychology and psychiatry.
- Recognizing the evolution of ADHD concepts highlights the dynamic nature of psychiatric nosology.
Abstract:
Hyperactive and inattentive children have been discussed in both the pedagogic and medical literature since the nineteenth century, and many controversies associated with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been repeatedly analyzed in different contexts. The 'prehistory' of the ADHD concept-that is, up to the definition of ADHD in DSM-III and of the corresponding 'hyperkinetic disorder' in ICD-9-is outlined, with an emphasis on the literature not previously discussed in English language reviews of the subject.
More Related Videos
10:02Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD
Published on: March 12, 2020
13:09Using Brain Activation nir-HEG/Q-EEG and Execution Measures CPTs in a ADHD Assessment Protocol
Published on: April 1, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Conduct Disorder
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Sex Linked Disorders
Adler's Individual Psychology